Dr. Stephen Frank Winer

April 22, 1941 – May 22, 2025
Dr. Stephen Frank Winer, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, in Northern Virginia, surrounded by family. He was 84.
Born on April 22, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, Stephen was the eldest son of Arthur Yana Winer, a respected lawyer and intellectual, and Ruth Frank Winer, a schoolteacher and social activist. As a child, he shared many memorable summers in Walterboro, South Carolina with his younger brother, Robert, visiting their grandparents, Jacob and Bertha Frank, and staying with their idiosyncratic Uncle Benny, who ran a general store and a quirky alligator farm known for its exotic trade in alligator skins.
Stephen's academic journey led him to Yale University, where he earned a degree in Economics. Yet, it was his deep-seated interest in healing and science that drew him back to his hometown to pursue medicine at Wayne State University. During this time, he met the love of his life, Anita Ackerman, on a blind date - a serendipitous meeting that led to 54 wonderful years of marriage.
After graduating from medical school in 1967, Stephen moved to New York City to complete his residency in general surgery at Cornell University Hospital. In the midst of the Vietnam War, he answered the call to serve, volunteering for the U.S. Air Force. His two military tours took him overseas, where he served with dedication as a surgeon in the Philippines and Germany for six years. It was abroad where he developed a passion for collecting Asian art and for traveling around the world, which he and Anita continued to do for over 30 years.
Following his honorable discharge as lieutenant colonel, Stephen and Anita settled in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he established a thriving surgical practice. Over the next 25 years, he became a trusted physician and integral member of the local community. It was in Lebanon that their son, Arthur Winer, was born - a source of immense pride and joy.
After Anita's passing in May 2024, Stephen moved to Northern Virginia to be near Arthur, his daughter-in-law Jennifer Gillman, and his cherished granddaughter, Aviva. He spent his final months in their loving care, surrounded by extended family, including in-laws Eugene Gillman and Ilana Lustig.
Stephen was buried in Falls Church, Virginia, on May 25, 2025. A memorial service may be planned for later this summer to celebrate his remarkable life and legacy.
He is survived by his son Arthur Winer and daughter-in-law Jennifer Gillman; his granddaughter Aviva Winer; brother Robert Winer and sister-in-law Mary Winer; and his nephews Ben Winer and Ari Winer.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Stephen's name to Lebanon Family Health Services, an organization he long supported. May his memory be a blessing. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Stephen, please visit our floral store.